Arsenal injury latest: Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz and more | OneFootball

Arsenal injury update ahead of crucial Aston Villa clash

Arsenal finish 2025 with Aston Villa at the Emirates on Tuesday, with the visitors three points back after eight straight wins. Bournemouth away follows in the New Year, then Liverpool visit on January 8, so Arsenal’s injury list has become part of the title conversation.

Arteta wants continuity, but the next week requires choices. Arsenal need bodies at full back and sharper options up front to keep their pressing and control intact.

Jurrien Timber update

Jurrien Timber missed the Brighton squad after a knock late in the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace, despite arriving at the stadium with team mates. Arteta said: “We missed him because in the last part of the game he felt something and he could not carry on so he’s out.”

If Timber is available, Arsenal gain a natural solution at right back and another defender comfortable moving into midfield during build up.

Kai Havertz return date

Kai Havertz is back training after a knee injury suffered at Manchester United on the opening weekend, and he could be close to selection. Arteta offered encouragement: “Quite close,” said Arteta when asked ahead of the Brighton game how close Havertz is to returning. “I think it will be a matter of days, not weeks. Let’s see in the next steps how he responds to that.

Photo IMAGO

“But he is, again, a player that we missed a lot, a player that brings the team into a different dimension. So, I am really happy to have him back soon.”

Havertz is expected to be in contention to return against Aston Villa.

Other Arsenal injury updates

Riccardo Calafiori pulled out during the warm up before Brighton. “It’s something that he felt yesterday, something very awkward that happened, and today in the warm-up he wasn’t comfortable,” Arteta said. Potential return date: December 30.

Ben White remains out with a hamstring injury from Wolves on December 13. Arteta said last week: “He’s evolving well. It’s not major injury but it will keep him out for a few games. I don’t think it’s going to be [major].

“Ben is a really fast healer as well so let’s hope that we’re going to have him in the next few games.” Potential return date: December 30.

Cristhian Mosquera has a “complicated” ankle injury, and Arsenal have indicated a January 2026 return. “He’s going to be out for weeks unfortunately, it’s much more than what we expected,” Arteta said this month. “But the player was feeling it.”